Spring Shows

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We are so excited that you are interested in applying to be one of our awesome Makies!
Please scroll down and read our FAQs before you complete your application.

SPRING 2018:Applications for the 2018 spring season are currently open! Our jury has completed processing our first round of applications (those submitted before the July 31st deadline); new applications will be processed in early 2018. Please click here to submit your spring application.

HOLIDAY 2018: Applications for our holiday 2018 season are open now! Our jury will begin processing the first round of applications after March 31st, so for your best chance at acceptance please submit your application before then. Please click here to submit your holiday application.

To receive notification via email when applications go online for the next show, please sign up for our email list here.

“You guys rock! Thank you for continuing to put on professional, fun, and creative shows that help us to showcase our products! It is always an honour to participate in Make It and we look forward to it each year.”

“This show was a huge success for us! Jenna and staff were amazing! The promotion of the show was first class, bringing in crowds of people. We absolutely love the chill vibe and positive energy! We will come back again and again as long as they will have us back!”

FAQs

To make the application process as smooth as silk, we’d like to give you some information about how everything works. Below is all the information you need to determine whether participating in Make It is the right fit for your business.

Before you apply make sure you read over the following FAQs:

How do I apply for Make It?

All of our application forms are available online (see links above). Applications for our each show are open roughly 8 months prior to the show. Once applications close, our jury processes the applications. All applicants are notified via email whether or not they’ve been accepted to the show.

If you’ve missed the application window, all is not lost! You can still submit a wait list application; wait list applicants will be notified via email if a spot is available for them, but will not receive any other notification.

We receive an overwhelming number of applications for each show, and narrowing down our choices is always difficult! Our goal is to make sure we have the best collection of artists, designers, and makers from across Canada. Each application is considered and juried based on a number of criteria, including the craftsmanship of the products you’re marketing, the creativity of your brand, the quality of your website, and your social media presence.

We always love to have fresh talent at Make It and highly encourage new people to apply!

Can I sell a product that I didn’t design myself?

Nope. In order to be accepted as a Makie, everything you sell needs to be designed by you and handmade right here at home. We don’t allow any mass-produced items to be sold, or any products that are manufactured outside of Canada.

Can I hire helpers to help me with production, or to staff my booth at the show?

Absolutely! As long as you’re the primary designer and producer, you can hire helpers to help you screenprint your shirts, or bottle your sauce, or package your soap, etc. You’re also welcome to bring as many helpers as you need to help make the show a successful and enjoyable experience for you.

What if I design a cool new product after my initial application has been accepted? Can I sell it, too?

We work hard to make sure that Make It has a well-balanced variety of goodies for attendees, and accept a limited number of entries for each category of the show. We love that you’ve got new products and ideas, but you can’t add items to your booth without prior approval from Make It.

What’s included with my booth?

Exhibitor booths come with 8′ high drapes on both sides and the back, 1500 Watts of power , and a chair. Accepted applicants will be able to rent tables, additional equipment (crossbeams, grid wall, etc.), and power upgrades from our show equipment supplier before the show.

I make food products. Are there additional rules I need to follow?

There sure are! Please contact Vancouver Coastal Health or Alberta Health Services to find out what the requirements are for the type of food you make. You will be required to upload a copy of your permit (or letter of exemption or inspection report) on your Make It application. Applications without the required documentation will be discarded without further consideration.

Food vendors are required to possess a valid Food Handling Permit/Letter of Exemption or equivalent documentation from their provincial health authority in order to apply to vend at Make It.

Food safe certificates do not qualify as acceptable documentation.

Additional forms will be required of you if you intend to offer samples at the show.

Can I share my booth with a friend?

No, we don’t allow an booth-splitting or subletting.

I’m from out of town and need to ship my goods to the show. Can I store them in advance at the venue?

Unfortunately, our venues don’t accommodate advance shipping. However, many cartage companies offer this service, or can provide warehousing for your pallet in between shows if you’re attending multiple events in a row. Costs for this service will vary according to what you’re shipping and from where, so we recommend getting a few quotes from shipping companies before you submit your application.

I really want to be part of Make It, but I can’t attend all days of the show. Can I book a booth for just one or two days?

Nope. If you’re accepted to the show, you must commit to running your booth the whole time Make It is open, as well as setting up your booth the day before the show begins.

If I exhibited at Make It in the past, do I still have to apply?

Prior participation doesn’t guarantee acceptance to future shows; you need to submit an application for every show you’d like to participate in.

What if I get accepted into Make It, but I need to cancel?

If you cancel your booking 90 days or more before the show, you will receive a 75% refund. If you cancel your booking 60 to 89 days before the show, you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel your booking 59 days or less before the first day of the show, all exhibitor fees and options are non-refundable.

What are Make It customers like?

In a word: AWESOME! The folks that come to Make It are looking for high-quality and unique handmade products. They also love hearing the story behind the item they’re purchasing, so be sure to share it with them!